Fear Over Facts: The Left, Too, Weaponizes Reproductive Rights
...Sacrificing Women’s Health and Safety for Political Gain
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), sparked a political firestorm, amplified by media spin. Mainstream outlets repeatedly label the ruling as "anti-abortion" or refer to state restrictions as abortion bans. This oversimplified narrative fosters confusion and harm, diverting attention from actionable information that could help women navigate state-specific restrictions or access care where it remains legal.
Take the tragic case of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old mother from Georgia who died after complications from an abortion in 2022. Media outlets blame "Trump abortion bans" for her death, with Vice President Kamala Harris stating, “This young mother should be alive… These are the consequences of Donald Trump’s actions.” Harris, along with other Democrats, framed Thurman’s death as politically motivated, yet overlooked critical facts: Thurman’s death was preventable with timely care, according to a state committee of 10 doctors.
ProPublica reported that doctors delayed performing a standard procedure, a dilation and curettage (D&C), by 20 hours due to confusion about Georgia’s abortion laws. The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) argued the diagnosis was straightforward and that immediate antibiotics and a D&C should have been administered. AAPLOG stated, “Any first-year resident could make the diagnosis… Had this been done, she most likely would be alive today.”
Rather than focusing on this medical failure, the media continues to spin the story as part of a broader abortion ban narrative. However, Georgia’s law allows for emergency medical intervention and the removal of nonviable fetal tissue—both of which applied to Thurman. Dr. Christina Francis of AAPLOG stressed, “Don’t be misled by those who advocate for induced abortion over the health and safety of women.” Yet, the media’s focus on fear-mongering only deepens confusion among healthcare providers and women.
This tactic goes beyond media rhetoric; it’s a tool for political mobilization. Harris tied Thurman’s death directly to the political consequences of the Dobbs decision. Yet, abortion is not banned across the U.S.—the ruling shifted decision-making to the states, many of which still allow abortion with varying restrictions. Instead of providing clear guidance, the Left instead often frames abortion as an inaccessible right, leaving women misinformed about their options.
Imagine if media outlets focused less on fear and more on empowering women with the facts. ProPublica’s investigation highlighted confusion among Thurman’s doctors, but that confusion stemmed from the murkiness of public discourse—not the law itself. Had her doctors acted in line with Georgia’s legal allowances, Thurman might still be alive.
It’s time to stop mischaracterizing the Dobbs ruling as an outright abortion ban. Abortion is still accessible in many states, and women need clarity, not confusion, to navigate the legal landscape. The Left’s exploitation of this issue for political gain only exacerbates the crisis, leaving women uninformed and at risk.
Neither the Left nor the Right hesitates to use women’s issues as political fodder, with little regard for the real-world consequences on women. It’s time to prioritize facts over fear and hold both politicians and the media accountable for spreading harmful misinformation that puts women at risk. After all, if they truly cared, they’d arm us with the truth—not just use us as pawns in their political chess game.